Event Guide

David Ragan

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Setting out to prove that racing is in his blood, David Ragan embarked on a new chapter of his racing career in 2006.

The son of former Nextel Cup driver Ken Ragan, David began racing at the age of 11 in the Bandolero Series. Under the guidance of his father, David had years of experience instilled in him before he ever hit the race track.

Not wanting just to be known as the son of a former driver, David made sure to let his on-track performance prove that he was out to establish his own reputation. He accomplished his goal, winning 12 races and the National Championship in just his second year of competition.

Ragan continued to race in the Bandolero division for the next two years, again winning the National Championship in 1999. He knew that getting experience in the smaller cars was helping to develop his driving skills, but he would need to progress to a full-size car and learn what it would take to bring him to the next level. He purchased a Goody’s Dash Series car and began preparations for the next step in his career.

Ragan partnered with Dash Series driver Cam Strader, and went to work in his shop. The experience he gained would prove invaluable to his future. When they were not getting the Dash cars ready to run, they were working on two new late model cars that Ragan would run the following year. Strader taught him what it took to set the cars up, and allowed Ragan the hands-on experience to which he credits much of his success. Much more than just a driver, Ragan worked countless hours preparing the cars that Strader would race to the ‘01 series Championship.

With the help of Strader, David ran several late model races across the southeast in ‘02. Still too young to compete in NASCAR divisions, Ragan made sure he was running the most comparable equipment possible. He began his relationship with Mark Martin, driving for him in the Legends Pro-Division, finishing fourth in series points out of 60 plus drivers.

As soon as he turned 18, Ragan made his first foray into NASCAR, running select Craftsman Truck and Busch Series events, along with a limited ARCA schedule.

He started second in his first ARCA start, and led a number of laps before a cut tire took him out of contention. His hard work and preparation did not go unnoticed and he caught the eye of Jack Roush’s scouts. Ragan was selected as one of the contestants in Roush Racing: Driver X, and although he did not win the competition, he was awarded a chance to pilot one of Jack Roush’s Fords in ’06.

Not wanting to waste his opportunity, Ragan drove in select NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races – driving a combined 19 races in the No. 50 and No. 6 Ford F-150’s. His strong performances, which included one pole, one top five and 8 top-10’s led to a chance in the NASCAR Busch Series, which then translated to a chance in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

His performance in all three top levels of NASCAR led Jack Roush to select him as the driver of the No. 6 AAA Ford in 2007, taking over for the departed Mark Martin.